While numerous media sources are announcing that Simon Grayson is about to be unveiled as our next boss, the latest is that Blackpool have spurned initial approach.

In the last hour, Blackpool have made this statement on their official website. “Following widespread media speculation surrounding Leeds United’s interest in Simon Grayson, the club can confirm Leeds United have approached the club in respect of it’s manager, and the approach to speak to Simon has been firmly rejected. The club will be making no further comment at this stage".

Earlier in the day, betting on the Leeds appointment was suspended after a flurry of bets on Grayson, and the Blackpool Gazette report that Grayson didn’t take training today so he could discuss the situation with his chairman Karl Oyston. Of course, it could well be that Blackpool’s announcement is just their opening gambit as they enter negotiations with Leeds about Grayson’s future. Their manager could yet be heading over the Pennines in due course, and Blackpool might simply be stalling in order to force Bates to offer a more compensation in order to get his man in time for the new year.

Grayson was born in Ripon in 1969, and supported the mighty Leeds as a boy. He began his career as a junior at Leeds in 1988, but failed to break into the strong Leeds side we enjoyed during the best of the Wilkinson years, making just two first team appearances in four years. He went on to make 229 appearances for Leicester and also played in the Premiership for Aston Villa and Blackburn, before he finished his playing days at Blackpool.

He then began a coaching role at the club before taking over as manager in 2005, successfully steering them clear of relegation in his first season and taking them to promotion in 2007. So although he wasn’t one of the first names in the frame when Mc.Allister went yesterday, he obviously has a track record of success in this division. And like Howard Wilkinson in 1988, he might be prepared to drop a division to take the Leeds job, believing that we are a bigger club than his current employers and more likely to achieve success in the long term.

Though I’d still prefer Aidy Boothroyd to get the job, Grayson would be a lot more popular at Leeds than any of Poyet, Ince, Dowie or Keane, all of whom have been mentioned as possible candidates for the job. And if Grayson does get the job I will be the first to wish him every success.

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